If you have to paint your PE before installing it, is it a..

[modelman62]

..good idea to spray a dull coat on it so it wont maybe chip as easy?

[mike mccabe]

HI Pat,
Partly depends on what scale you work in, I mostly do 700 scale so the less paint you have to put on the pe the better, more means thicker means less fine and in scale. I think if you clean it first, I just dunk it in hot water with a bit of washing up liquid, then rinse thoroughly, then you shouldn't need an undercoat.

That's what I do anyway!

Mike

[modelman62]

HI Pat,
Partly depends on what scale you work in, I mostly do 700 scale so the less paint you have to put on the pe the better, more means thicker means less fine and in scale. I think if you clean it first, I just dunk it in hot water with a bit of washing up liquid, then rinse thoroughly, then you shouldn't need an undercoat.

That's what I do anyway!

Mike

Thanks MIke, im doing 1/350 scale, doing the fletcher and Hasegawa Mikasa

[mike mccabe]

HI Pat
If you use an airbrush then you might want to do a couple of coats since the pe is larger and the thickness of the paint isn't such an issue. Sometimes it can be possible to wrap a little bit of masking tape around the tweezers when picking up the etch, it can help to cut down any chipping when you are assembling.

Mike

[modelman62]

HI Pat
If you use an airbrush then you might want to do a couple of coats since the pe is larger and the thickness of the paint isn't such an issue. Sometimes it can be possible to wrap a little bit of masking tape around the tweezers when picking up the etch, it can help to cut down any chipping when you are assembling.

Mike

Thanks again MIke !!!!

[RNfanDan]

When I use certain acrylics I've noticed a slight tendency for the paint to crack when bending and forming the PE. If you are painting the PE while still attached to its rack, and are using acrylic flat, I'd advise you to cut and form it first. This may not apply to all brands of acrylics, but it's been my experience. I've noticed this especially on small radius bends and corners. Your mileage may vary....

[Kelly Quirk]

I don't think a coat of Dullcoat is going to matter much. As you manipulate the photoetch, you are going to get some chips. But these chips are very easily touched up with a brush after the etch is installed.